Connector means having shorting clip

ABSTRACT

In a preferred form, this disclosure relates to an electrical connector means comprising a pair of mating connector assemblies and in which one of the connector assemblies has a shorting clip which is biased into engagement with its associated metal terminals to provide a short thereacross when the connector assemblies are disconnected and is automatically disengaged from its associated metal terminals when the mating connector assemblies are connected together. The shorting clip is in the form of a one-piece spring clip which is self-biased toward a position in which it engages its associated terminals so that a short across the terminals is automatically provided when the connector assemblies are disengaged from each other and the other connector assembly includes a cam means for lifting the spring biased shorting clip out of engagement with its associated terminals subsequent to the mating terminals of the connector assemblies engaging one another when the connector assemblies are connected together.

United States Patent Tolnar, Jr. et al.

[4 21- Mar. 4, 1975 [75] Inventors: 'Emil .l. Tolnar, Jr., Warren;Arthur H. Winyard, Cortland, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: General MotorCorporation,

Primary Eraminer-Richard E. Moore Attorney, Agent, or FirmW. A. Schuetz57 ABSTRACT In a preferred form, this disclosure relates to anelectrical connector means comprising a pair of mating connectorassemblies and in which one of the connector assemblies has a shortingclip which is biasedinto engagement with its associated metal terminalsto .provide a short thereacross when the connector assemblies aredisconnected and is automatically disengaged from its associated metalterminals when the mating connector assemblies are connected together.The shorting clip is in the form of a one-piece spring clip which isself-biased toward a position in which it engages its associatedterminals so that a short across the terminals is automatically providedwhen the connector assemblies are disengaged from each other and theother connector assembly includes a cam means for lifting the springbiased shorting clip out of engagement with 'its associated terminalssubsequent to the mating terminals of the connector assemblies engagingone another when the connector assemblies are con nected together.

3 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAR 41975 3.869.191

SHEET 1 [If CONNECTOR MEANS HAVING. SHORTING CLIP The presentinventionrelates to an electrical connector means, and in particular to anelectrical connector means comprising a pair of mating connectorassemblies, and in which a shorting clip isautomatically disengaged fromits associated metal terminals in one of the connector assemblies whenthe mating connector assemblies are connected together and automaticallyre-engages with its associated metal terminals when the the connectorassemblies would be operatively connected to the charge and include ashorting means for bussing its associated terminals or leads when theconnector assemblies are disconnected from each other. The other of theconnector assemblies would be operatively connected with an electricalcontrol means of circuitry and include a means for disengaging theshorting means from its associated terminals or leads when the connectorassemblies are connected together or mated, For example, see U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,036,169; 3,275,765, and'3,49l,326.

The present invention provides a new and improved electrical connectormeans of the above noted general type. Although the electrical connectormeans of the present invention could be used in various applicationswherein it is desired to automatically provide for a bus sing ofterminals of a connector assembly connected to an electricallyenergizable device when the two mating connector assemblies aredisconnected, it is particularly susceptible for use with an air cushionrestraint system having a squib for igniting. a charge to burst adiaphragm for controlling communication between a pressure vessel and aninflatable bag and/or having electrical igniter means for ener'gizinggasgenerators lo'catedwithin the pressure vessel.

The novel connector means of the present invention, when used in an aircushion restraint system, has one connector assembly provided with ashorting means for bussing its associated terminals. This connectorassembly is adapted to be electrically connected via conductors to thesquib for the charge and/or the electrical energizing means for the gasgenerator or generators. The other connector assembly would be connectedin circuit with the control means including sensor switches foractuating the restraint system when predetermined conditions arepresent. The provision of the shorting means for bussing the variousterminals of its associated connector assembly enables the variouscomponents of the air cushion restraint system to be assembled in anautomotive vehicle without any premature or accidental actuation of thesystem due to static electricity, RF interference etc. Also, when thematingconnector assemblies are connected together, the respectiveterminals in the connector assemblies are first engaged with each otherprior to the other connector assembly disengaging the shorting meansfrom its associated terminals of the one connector assembly.

Accordingly; an important object of the present invention is to providea new and improved electrical connector means of the above noted typeand in which the shorting means carried by one of the connectorassemblies is in the form of a spring clip which is selfbiased toward aposition in which it engages its associated terminals so as toautomatically provide bussing across the terminals when the connectorassemblies are disconnected and in which the other connector assemblyincludes cam means which engage the springbiased shorting clip toautomatically disengage the shorting clip from its associated terminalssubsequent to the mating terminals of the connector assemblies engagingeach other.

A more specificobject of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved electrical connector means comprisinga pair of mating connectorassemblies each having an insulator housing and a plurality of spacedmetal terminals therein which are adapted to mate with each other whenthe connector assemblies are connected together, and in which one of theconnector assemblies includes a spring clip which cooperates with theinsulator housing so that it is self-biased toward a position in whichit.engages its associated metal terminals when the connector assembliesare disconnected to provide a short thereacross to prevent premature oraccidental actuation of an electrically actuated means operativelyconnected with the terminals, and in which the other of the connectorassemblies includes cam surfaces on its insulator housing whichfunctions to move the spring clip in opposition to its self-biasingforce to disengage it from its associated terminals subsequent to themating terminals of the connector assemblies engaging one another.

Advantages of the novel electrical connector means of the presentinvention are that it is ofa relatively economical and simpleconstruction, that the connector assemblies can be readily connected andthat the connector assemblies are securely locked together whenconnected.

The present invention further resides in various novel constructions andarrangement of parts, and further objects, novel characteristics andadvantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art to which it relates and from the following detailed descriptionof the illustrated embodiments thereof made with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in whichsimilar reference numerals or characters are employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged top plan'view of the novel electrical connectormeans of the present invention and showing the respective connectorassemblies being disengaged from one another;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one of the electrical connectorassemblies shown in FIG. 1 and taken approximately along line 2-2thereof;

' FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the electri cal connectorassemblies shown in FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrowsthereof'3-3;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of one ofthe electrical connectorassemblies shown in FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows4-4 thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of a shorting clip comprising partof the electrical connector means of 3 the present invention and showingthe same after itis blanked from strip stock;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shorting clip of FIG. and showingthe same bent to its final free state configuration;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the other connector assembly shownin FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrow 7- 7 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown in FIG.7 and taken approximately along line 8-8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown in FIG.7 and taken approximately along line 9-9 thereof;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an electrical connector means of thepresent invention and showing the respective connector assembliesconnected together;

5 jecting portion 34 of the housing includes laterally- FIG. 11 is across-sectional view of the electrical connector means-shown in FIG.-10-and taken approximately along line 11-11 thereof;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view. of an alternative and preferred form ofshorting clip for the novel electrical connector means of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the shorting clip shown in FIG. 12and showing the same located within its associated connectorhousing. I

The novel electrical connector means 10 of the present invention broadlycomprises a pair of mating connector assemblies 12 and 14. The connectorassembly 12 comprises a male insulator housing 16 which carries aplurality of spaced male blade terminals l8.therein.

The connector assembly 14 comprises a female insulator housing 20 forcarrying a plurality of spaced female terminals 22 therein. The maleconnector assembly 12 also carries a shorting spring clip 24 which isself-biased toward a position in which it engages the respectivemaleterminals 18 to provide a short thereacross when the connectorassemblies 12 and 14 are disconnected from one another and the femaleconnector assembly 14 has cam means 26 which function to engage thespring clip 24 to disengage it from its respective male 7 terminals 18subsequent to the female terminals 22 enportion 32 and a forward orprojecting portion 34 of-a lesser height, as viewed in FIG. 2, than themain body portion 32. The insulator housing 16 also includes a pair ofintegral annular bushings 38 at its opposite sides which are providedwith central through apertures 40. The apertures 40 in the bushings 38enable the insulator housing 16 to be suitably mounted to a printedcircuit board (not shown) via suitable fasteners (not shown) whichextend through'the apertures 40 and are secured to the circuit board.

The male insulator housing 16 includes a plurality of spaced apartlongitudinally extending throughcavities or openings 44 therethrough forreceiving the male blade terminals 18. The adjacent cavities 44 areseparated by housing wall portions 45 and the cavities 44 include a pairof aligned rectangularly shaped grooves 46 formed in the housing wallportions 45 on the opposite lateral sides of the cavities 44. Thegrooves 46 of each cavity 44 s'lidably receive a male blade terminal 18along its opposite lateral sides. The forward or prospaced apartforwardly extending sections 48 integral at their rearward end with thewall portions 45 of the main housing portion 32. The sections 48 havealigned rectangularly shaped grooves 49-extending along their entirelength and which are aligned with the grooves 46. The grooves 49 are ofa lesser height than the grooves 46 and at their juncture, the grooves46 and 49 define abutments 49a. The adjacent fingers 48 define a guideand support means for the male blade terminals 18 and with a portion ofthe male blade terminals 18 located between the sections 48 beingexposed on their upper and lower sides.

The male blade terminals 18 could be of any suitable or conventionalconstruction, but are preferably of the type shown and described in US.Pat. No. 3,555,496, issued Jan. 12, 1971, and assigned to the sameassignee as the present invention, and to which resort may be had for acomplete description of the terminals 18. Suffice it for presentpurposes to say that each male blade terminal 18 includes a forwardportion 50 which is adapted to engage the female terminal 22, a morerigid intermediate wrapped portion 52 which is'thicker than the forwardportion 50 and a rearward portion 54 which is adapted to'be secured orsoldered to a contact ona printed circuit board (not shown). Theterminals 18 are connected to the housing 16 by inserting the terminals'18 forward end first into the cavities from left to right, as viewed inFIG. 2. The opposite lateral sides of the terminals are received withinthe grooves 46 and 49 and the terminals 18 are inserted until theintermediate portion of the male blade terminal 52 abuts the abutment49a in the connector housing 16. This prevents over insertion of themale blade terminals 18. Each male blade terminal 18 also includes adeflectable locking tang 58 adjacent itsintermediate portion 52 which isadapted to ride over and lock behind an inwardly extending abutment 60on the connector housing 16 to lock the male blade terminal 18 in placewithin the connector housing 16 and to prevent any rearward movementthereof, and in a manner well known to those skilled in. the art.

The insulator housing 16 adjacent its upper side, as

viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided with a second cavity means 64 whichreceivesthe shorting spring clip 24. The cavity 64 is defined by a pairof side walls 66, a bottom wall 68 which also forms the top wall for therespective cavities 44, and a top side 70. The top side 70 includes apair of top wall portions 72 integral with the side walls 66 and agenerally U-shaped catch member 78 of the cooperable latching means 30.As further shown in FIG. 2, the cavity 64 is further defined by arearward upwardly extending wall portion 79 at the rearward end of thehousing 16.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the spring clip 24 is ofa one-piececonstruction and is made from a suitable resilient or deflectable springmetal material. The spring clip is initially stamped from sheet stock tothe configuration shown in FIG. 5 by a suitable punch and die apparatusand is thereafter bent to the configuration shown in FIG. 6 by asuitable press and die apparatus. The shorting clip 24 has atransversely extending flat bridge portion 80, a first plurality ofelongated spaced apart spring. fingers 82 integrally connected at theirrearward ends withthe bridge portion 80, and a second-plurality ofspaced spring fingers 84 which are shorter tha-nthe spring fingers 82and which are integrally connected at one end with the bridge portion80. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the spring fingers 82 are slightlytapered proceeding from their rearward end portion toward their forwardfree end portion 86 and are bent upwardly adjacent their forward endportion 86 to define linear ramp surfaces. The spring fingers 82adjacent their forward end portion 86 include downwardly extending ears88 which extend transversely of the spring fingers 82. The springfingers 84 are bent so as to overlie the spring fingers 82 and define attheir juncture with the bridge portion 80 and the spring fingers 82 arounded bight portion 92. The maximum transverse distance between thespring fingers 82 and 84 when in their free state position is greaterthan the height of the cavity 64, as viewed in FIG. 2.

The shorting clip 24 is adapted to be connected to the insulator housing16 by inserting the same bridge end first into the cavity 64 from rightto left, as viewed generally rectangular shape complementary'with themale connector assembly 12 The female connector housing 20 has a main orrearward body portion 110, an intermediate body portion 112, and aforward end portion 114. The rearward portion 110 has a plurality ofspaced cavities or longitudinally extending through openings 116therethroug'h for receiving the female terminals 22. The cavities 116include upper and lower aligned longitudinally extending recesses orgrooves 116a and 116b formed in the top and bottom sides 117 and 118 ofthe housing 20 for receiving portions ofthe terminals, as will'behereinafter more fully described. The individual cavities are separatedby transversely extending wall portions 119.

in FIG. 2. As the clip 24 is inserted into the cavity 64, y

Y the fingers 84 engage a downwardly extending projection 100 integralwith the top wall portions 72 and are deflected toward the fingers 82.The downwardly extending projection 100 has a tapered entry surface 100ato facilitate entry of the shorting clip into the cavity 64. When thefingers 84 clear the projecting portion 100, the self-biasing forces. ofthe spring clip 24 will cause the fingers 84 to spring back toward theirnormal free state position and engage the underside of the top portions72 of the housing 16 behind the projections 100. This prevents movementof the spring clip 24 toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 2. Movement ofthe spring clip 24 toward the left is prevented as a result of i theengagement between the bridge portion 80 and a pair of abutments 93integral with the U-shaped catch member 78 at its leftward end, asviewed in FIG. 1.

When the spring clip 24 is positioned within the cavity 64 of thehousing 16, the fingers 82 are also deflected upwardly from their normalfree state position due to the engagement between the depending ears 88and the male blade terminal .18. The forwardly projecting portion 34 ofthe housing 16 is provided with transverse throughslots94 through whichthe ears 88 extend so as to enable them to engage the male bladeterminals 18. From the foregoing, it should be apparent that theself-biasing forces of the spring clip 24 cause the ears 88 to be biasedinto engagement with the adjacent male blade terminals 18 such that abussing or short across the male blade terminals 18 is established whenthe male connector assembly 12 is disconnected from the female connectorassembly 14.

As noted hereinbefore, the male blade terminals 18 would be operativelyconnected witha squib for an explosively actuated diaphragm and/orelectrical energizable means for a gas generator or generators of an aircushion restraint system. The provision of the shorting clip 24 enablesthese components to be assembled within an automotive vehicle duringassembly while preventing any premature or accidental actuation of thesecomponents due to static electricity, RF interference, etc.

The female connector assembly 14 comprises the in- US. Pat. No.3,310,772,'issued Mar. 2l, l967, and assigned to the same assignee asthe present invention, and to which-resort'may be had for a complete andfull description of the terminals 22. Suffice it for present purposes tosay that each female terminal 22 has a rearward portion which includes apair of spaced crimped flanges'l20 and 122 which are adapted to becrimped onto the bare end and the insulator portion of an electricallead L. The female terminal 22 further includes an intermediate fiatvertically extending body portion 126. and a pair of fingers or tongues128 extending perpendicular to the flat bottom portion 126. The fingers128 have free end portions 129 which are reversely bent, as indicated at130, and which are self-biased into engagement with each other. The maleblade terminals 18 are adapted to be electrically connected to thefemale terminals 22 by inserting the forward portion of the maleterminals 18 between the reversely bent finger portions 129 and with theportion 129 of the fingers 128 biasingly engaging the opposite sides ofthe male blade terminals 18.

The female terminals 22 are connected to the insulator housing 16 byinserting the same from right to left ward its normal free stateposition to lock behind the abutment 148 and thereafter the tang willabuttingly engage a transversely extending abutment in the housing 16.

The tangs 140, 142 and the'abutments 148, 150 lock the terminals 22 inplace within the cavities 116 of the sulated connector housing 20 whichis made from a I suitable dielectric material, such as plastic, and isof a housing 20. The intermediate portion 112 of the connector housing20 defines a rectangularly shaped slot 154 which is in communicationwith the cavities 116 and which receives the fingers 128 of the femaleterminals 22. The rectangularly shaped slot 154 is of a size such thatit slidably receives themain portion 34 of the male housing 16 and withthe wall portions 119 of the housing 20 at their front ends formingabutment surfaces against which the forwardly extending sections 48 ofthe male housing 16 can abut.

The forwardly extending portion 114 of the connectorhousing 20 comprisesforwardly extending bottom walls 114a and 1 1412 and a side wall 114C.The forwardlyextending end portion 114 serves as a slide and supportmeans for guiding the male connector assembly into the female connectorassembly 14.

The male and female connector assemblies 12 and- 14 I are adapted to beconnected to each other by inserting the forward, end of the maleconnector assembly 12 terminals 22 and with the finger portions 129biasingly engaging the male blade terminals 18. 1

Further insertion of the male connector assembly 12 into the femaleconnector assembly 14, causes the forward end of the main portion 34 ofthe male housing 16 to be received within the slot 154 and causes thecam means 26 on the female housing 20 to engage the ramp portions 86 ofthe fingers 82 of the shorting clip 24 and cam the fingers 82 upwardlyand out of engagement with the male blade terminals 18. The cam means 26comprise linearly tapered cam surfaces located at the forward end of theupper side of the intermediate portion 112 of the female connectorhousing 16. The female connector housing 16 alsoinclude's a plurality ofspaced apart longitudinally extending slots 157 exwardly extending ears88 ofthe shorting clip as the cam surfaces 26 cam the shortingclip24out-of engagement with the maleblade terminals 18. From theforegoing, it should be apparent that when the connector assemblies-l2and 14 are connected together, an electrical connection is establishedbetween the respective male terminals 18 ofthe male connector assembly'12 and the female terminals 22 of the female connector 14, prior totheinsulator housing 20 cam- -ming the spring fingers 82 of the shortingclip 24 out of engagement with its associated, male blade terminals 18-;I

. When the connector assemblies 12 and 14 are connected together,they'are adapted to be latched in place by the cooperable latching means30. To this end, the

, male connector housing includes a pair of catch members 78 on itslower endupper sides. The catch members are of a U-shaped configurationand comprise a pair of legs 160 and'161 which are integral at theirfor-v ward ends with a bridge portion 162 and which are integral attheir rearward ends with the insulator housing 16. The bridge portions162 have tapered projections 163 at their side adjacent the housing 16.The catch members 78 define transversely extending openings 165therethrough. The housing 16 is preferably made from a plastic materialwhich is somewhatresilient so as to enable the catch members 7810 bedeflected to and from the adjacent sides of the-insulator housing 16.The connector assembly 14 includes at its upper and lower sides rigid orsubstantially rigid transversely extending latch members 170. The latchmembers 170 are bevelled at their forward sides, as indicated byreference numeral 171. When the connector assemblies 14 and 16 areconnected together, the latch member 170 will engage the catch members78 along the projections 163 of the bridge portions 162 and cause thetending through its upper side for receiving the downcatch members 78 tobe deflected outwardly from the adjacent sides of the connector housing16. As the'two connector assemblies are connected together, the bridgeportion 162 of the catch members 78 will clear the latch members 170,and due to the self-biasingforces of the catch members 78, will movetoward the connector'housing 16 and latch behind the latch members 170.This securely retains the two connector housings 16 and 20 connectedtogether.

The insulator housing 20 also includes a rear cover 200. The cover is ofa generally curved configuration and is integrally connected with thetop side of the connected in the connector housing 16, the cover 200 canbe moved from its normal free state position, as shown in FIG. 8, inwhich it is disposed upwardly and out of the way from the rearward endof the housing 20 to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 9, in which itcovers the rearward end of the connector housing 20. As the cover 200 ismoved to its closed position, the catch members 204 will engage thebevelled headed ends 212 of the fingers 211 and cause the fingers 211 tobe deflected toward each other until the catch members 204 clear theheaded end 212 of the fingers 211 whereupon the fingers, due to theirself-biasing forces, will move outwardly relatively to each other andinto the opening 206 toward their normal free state position to latchbehind the catch members 204. The cover 200 serves to orient the leads Lin a given direction and also serves to substantially cover'the rearwardportion of the connector housing 20.

It will of course be understood that the number of I ber of electricalcomponents that are to be connected therewith. It is contemplated thatby using multiple cavity connector housings l6 and 20 and variablenumbers of terminals, the same electrical connector housings can be usedin a wide range of air cushion restraint systems. That is, in somecases, as in the illustrated case in the drawings, various ones of thecavities would remain empty.

4 Various ones of the terminals 22 of the female connector assembly 14would beconnec'ted to a power bodiment of a shorting spring clip 220 andinsulator housing 222 which could. be used in place of the short ingclip 24 and insulator housing 16. The insulator housing 222 is identicalto the insulator housing 16 except that a different cavity 224 isprovided to receive the shorting clip 220. The cavity 224 is of-a lesser9 height than the cavity 64 of the insulator housing 16 and has a pairof spaced posts 226 extending between its top and bottom sides 227 and228 for retaining the clip 220 in place, and in a manner to behereinafter more-fully described. The parts of the insulator housing endportions are bent upwardly to define ramp surfaces 236 and each have atransversely extending ear 238 which is adapted to be received throughthe slots 94 in the housing 16 and engage the upper side of the maleblade terminals 18, as shown in FlG.-13. The fingers 232 and bridgeportion 230 define an obtuse included angle therebetween when in theirfree state position. The bridge portion 230 at its rearward end has apair of spaced apart slots 240 and barbed tangs 242 which define onesideof the slots 240. The bridge portion 230 is also rounded at its rearwardend, as indicated by reference numeral 244, and has a pair of'spacedupwardly extending flanges 246 adjacent its forward end, I

The spring clip 220 is connected to the housing 222 by inserting thesame rearward end first into the cavity 224 from right to left, asviewed in FIG. 13. To this end, a suitable tool engaging the flanges 246can be used for inserting the clip 220 into the cavity 224. As the clip220 is being inserted into the cavity the bridge portion 230 and fingers232'will be deflected to increase the obtuse included angletherebetween, since the ears 238 are in engagement with the terminals.18, until the flanges 246 clearthe inwardly extending projection 100 onthe housing 222 whereupon the self-biasing forces of the clip 220 causethe obtuse included angle between the. bridge portion 230 and fingers232 to decrease and lock the flanges 246 behind the projection 100. Inother words, the rearward portion of the fingers 232 and the forward endof the bridge portion 230 spring upwardly when the flanges 246 clear theprojection 100 until the rearward portion of the fingers 232 engage theprojectionl00. Also, the obtuse included angle between the fingers 232and the bridge portion 230 when the clip 220 is connected to the housing222 is greater than the obtuse included angle therebetween when in thefree state position whereby the ears 238 are biased into engagement withthe terminals 18.

The clip 220 is retained within the connector housing 222 by the barbedtangs which bite into the posts 226 on the housing 222 as the posts arereceived within the slots 240 when the clip 220 is connected to thehousing 222. The shorting clip 220 is adapted to be disengaged from itsassociated terminals 18 in the same manner as previously described inconnection with the shorting clip 24.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that a novel electricalconnector means having a spring shorting clip which is automaticallyoperative to bridge the terminals of a connector assembly when theconnector assemblies are disconnected and which is automatically cammedout of position when the connector assemblies are connected together hasbeen provided. The structure of providing a spring clip in one of theconnector assemblies and the simple cam means in the other conll) nectorassembly makes the electrical connector means of a relative simple andeconomical construction.

Although the illustrated embodiment hereof has been described in greatdetail, it should be apparent that certain modifications, changes andadaptations may be made in the illustrated embodiment, and that it is intended to cover all such modifications, changes and adaptations whichcome within the spirit of the present invention.

It is claimed:

1. An electrical connector means comprising: a first insulator housinghaving a plurality of firstspaced apart cavities therein, a firstplurality of metal terminals housed in said first cavities and havingexposed forward end portions, a second cavity in said first insulatorhousing, a spring clip housed within said second cavity, said springclip having a bridge portion extending transversely of the cavity and aplurality of spaced resilient fingers extending transversely of thebridge portion and overlying the respective ones of the first terminals,said fingers each having a depending portion which is engaged with oneof the first plurality of terminals to pro vide a shorting path betweenthe first plurality of terminals, said spring clip when disposed in thesecond cavity being self-biased toward a position in which theirdepending portions engage the respective first plurality of terminals, asecond insulator housing which is matable with the first insulatorhousing, said second insulator housing having a plurality of spacedcavities therein, a second plurality of metal terminals housed insaid'cavities of said second insulator housing which are adapted 1 tomate with the first plurality of terminals in the first insulatorhousing, said second insulator housing having a cam means intermediateits ends, said insulator hous ings when being connected together firstcausing said first and second plurality of terminals to matingly engageeach other and then causing said cam means on said second insulatorhousing to engage the spring fingers of the spring clip to move thespring fingers in opposition to their selfbiasing forces to disengagethe spring clip from the first plurality of terminals.

2. An electrical connector means comprising: a first insulator housinghaving a plurality of first spaced apart cavities therein, a firstplurality of metal terminals housed in said cavities and having exposedforward ends, said insulator housing having; a plurality of transversethrough slots in communication with said cavities, a second cavity insaid first insulator housing, a spring clip housed within said secondcavity, said spring clip having a bridge portion extending transverselyof the second cavity and a plurality ofspaced resilient fingersextending transversely of the bridge portion and overlying the firstcavities in the first insulator housing, said fingers being bent to forma ramp surface adjacent their forward ends remote from the bridgeportion and which forms an acute included angle with the adjacentinsulator housing, said fingers each having a depending v portion whichis adapted to extend through one ofthe slots in the first insulatorhousing to engage the respective first plurality of terminals rearwardlyof their forward ends to provide a shorting path between the firstplurality of terminals, said spring clip when disposed in v the secondcavity being self-biased toward a position in which their dependingportions engage the respective first plurality of terminals, said firstterminals having their forward ends extending forwardly of the rampsurfaces of said fingers, a second insulator housing having a forwardportion and a rearward portion, said forward portion having alongitudinally extending opening for receiving the first insulatorhousing and said rearward portion having a plurality of. spaced cavitiestherein in communication with said opening in the forward portion, asecond'plurality of metal terminals housed in 1 said cavities of saidrearward portion of said second insulator housing which are adapted tomate with the first plurality of terminals in the first insulatorhousing, said second insulator housing having a plurality of tapered camsurface intermediate its ends, said first insulator housing beingconnectable to the second insulator housing by inserting the firstinsulator housing into the opening of the forward portion of the secondinsulator housing, said insulator housings when being connected togetherfirst causing said first and second plurality of terminals to matinglyengage each other and then causing said tapered cam surfaces on saidsecond insulator housing to engage the ramp surfaces of the spring clipto move the spring fingers in opposition to their selfbiasing forces todisengage the spring clip from the first plurality of terminals.

3. An electrical connector means comprising: a first insulator housinghaving amain body portion and a projecting end portion of a lesserheight than the main portion, said first insulator housing having aplurality of first spaced apart cavities therein, a first plurality ofmetal terminals housed in said first cavities and extending within theprojecting end portion thereof, said insulator housing having aplurality of transverse through slots in communication with said firstcavities, a second cavity in said first insulator housing, a spring cliphoused within said second cavity, said spring clip having a bridgeportion extending transversely of the cavity and a plurality of spacedresilient fingers extending transversely of the bridge portion andoverlying the first cavities in the projecting end portion of the firstinsulator housing, said fingers being bent to form a ramp surfaceadjacent their forward ends remote from the bridge portion and whichforms an acute included angle with the adjacent projecting end portionof the first insulator housing, said fingers each having a depending earwhich is adapted to extend through one of the slots in the firstinsulator housing to engage the respective first plurality ofterminalsto provide a shorting path between the first plurality of terminals,said spring clip when disposed in the second cavity being selfbiasedtoward a position in which their ear engages the respective firstplurality of terminals, said first termi nals having forward ends whichextend forwardly of the ramp surfaces of said fingers, a secondinsulator housing having a forward portion and a rearward portion, saidforward portion having a longitudinally extending opening for receivingthe projecting end portion of the first insulator housing and saidrearward portion having a plurality of spaced cavities therein incommunication with said opening in theiforward portion, a secondplurality of metal terminals housed in said cavities of said rearwardportion of said second insulator housing which are adapted to mate withthe first plurality of terminals in the first insulator housing, saidsecond insulator housing having a plurality of'tapered cam surfacesintermediate its ends, said first insulatorhousing being connectable tothe second insulator housing by inserting the projecting portion of thefirst insulator housing into the opening of the forward portion of thesecond insulator housing, said insulator housingswhen being connectedtogether first causing said first and second plurality of terminals tomatingly engage each other and then causing said tapered cam surfaces onsaid second insulator housing to engage the ramp surfaces of theresilient fingers ofthe spring clip to move the spring fingers inopposition to their self-biasing forces to disengage the spring clipfrom the first plurality of terminals, and cooperable latching means onsaid first and second insulator housings for latching the housings together when connected.

1. An electrical connector means comprising: a first insulator housinghaving a plurality of first spaced apart cavities therein, a firstplurality of metal terminals housed in said first cavities and havingexposed forward end portions, a second cavity in said first insulatorhousing, a spring clip housed within said second cavity, said springclip having a bridge portion extending transversely of the cavity and aplurality of spaced resilient fingers extending transversely of thebridge portion and overlying the respective ones of the first terminals,said fingers each having a depending portion which is engaged with oneof the first plurality of terminals to provide a shorting path betweenthe first plurality of terminals, said spring clip when disposed in thesecond cavity being self-biased toward a position in which theirdepending portions engage the respective first plurality of terminals, asecond insulator housing which is matable with the first insulatorhousing, said second insulator housing having a plurality of spacedcavities therein, a second plurality of metal terminals housed in saidcavities of said second insulator housing which are adapted to mate withthe first plurality of terminals in the first insulator housing, saidsecond insulator housing having a cam means intermediate its ends, saidinsulator housings when being connected together first causing saidfirst and second plurality of terminals to matingly engage each otherand then causing said cam means on said second insulator housing toengage the spring fingers of the spring clip to move the spring fingersin opposition to their self-biasing forces to disengage the spring clipfrom the first plurality of terminals.
 2. An electrical connector meanscomprising: a first insulator housing having a plurality of first spacedapart cavities therein, a first plurality of metal terminals housed insaid cavities and having exposed forward ends, said insulator housinghaving a plurality of transverse through slots in communication withsaid cavities, a second cavity in said first insulator housing, a springclip housed within said second cavity, said spring clip having a bridgeportion extending transversely of the second cavity and a plurality ofspaced resilient fingers extending transversely of the bridge portionand overlying the first cavities in the first insulator housing, saidfingers being bent to form a ramp surface adjacent their forward endsremote from the bridge portion and which forms an acute included anglewith the adjacent insulator housing, said fiNgers each having adepending portion which is adapted to extend through one of the slots inthe first insulator housing to engage the respective first plurality ofterminals rearwardly of their forward ends to provide a shorting pathbetween the first plurality of terminals, said spring clip when disposedin the second cavity being self-biased toward a position in which theirdepending portions engage the respective first plurality of terminals,said first terminals having their forward ends extending forwardly ofthe ramp surfaces of said fingers, a second insulator housing having aforward portion and a rearward portion, said forward portion having alongitudinally extending opening for receiving the first insulatorhousing and said rearward portion having a plurality of spaced cavitiestherein in communication with said opening in the forward portion, asecond plurality of metal terminals housed in said cavities of saidrearward portion of said second insulator housing which are adapted tomate with the first plurality of terminals in the first insulatorhousing, said second insulator housing having a plurality of tapered camsurface intermediate its ends, said first insulator housing beingconnectable to the second insulator housing by inserting the firstinsulator housing into the opening of the forward portion of the secondinsulator housing, said insulator housings when being connected togetherfirst causing said first and second plurality of terminals to matinglyengage each other and then causing said tapered cam surfaces on saidsecond insulator housing to engage the ramp surfaces of the spring clipto move the spring fingers in opposition to their self-biasing forces todisengage the spring clip from the first plurality of terminals.
 3. Anelectrical connector means comprising: a first insulator housing havinga main body portion and a projecting end portion of a lesser height thanthe main portion, said first insulator housing having a plurality offirst spaced apart cavities therein, a first plurality of metalterminals housed in said first cavities and extending within theprojecting end portion thereof, said insulator housing having aplurality of transverse through slots in communication with said firstcavities, a second cavity in said first insulator housing, a spring cliphoused within said second cavity, said spring clip having a bridgeportion extending transversely of the cavity and a plurality of spacedresilient fingers extending transversely of the bridge portion andoverlying the first cavities in the projecting end portion of the firstinsulator housing, said fingers being bent to form a ramp surfaceadjacent their forward ends remote from the bridge portion and whichforms an acute included angle with the adjacent projecting end portionof the first insulator housing, said fingers each having a depending earwhich is adapted to extend through one of the slots in the firstinsulator housing to engage the respective first plurality of terminalsto provide a shorting path between the first plurality of terminals,said spring clip when disposed in the second cavity being self-biasedtoward a position in which their ear engages the respective firstplurality of terminals, said first terminals having forward ends whichextend forwardly of the ramp surfaces of said fingers, a secondinsulator housing having a forward portion and a rearward portion, saidforward portion having a longitudinally extending opening for receivingthe projecting end portion of the first insulator housing and saidrearward portion having a plurality of spaced cavities therein incommunication with said opening in the forward portion, a secondplurality of metal terminals housed in said cavities of said rearwardportion of said second insulator housing which are adapted to mate withthe first plurality of terminals in the first insulator housing, saidsecond insulator housing having a plurality of tapered cam surfacesintermediate its ends, said first insulator housing being Connectable tothe second insulator housing by inserting the projecting portion of thefirst insulator housing into the opening of the forward portion of thesecond insulator housing, said insulator housings when being connectedtogether first causing said first and second plurality of terminals tomatingly engage each other and then causing said tapered cam surfaces onsaid second insulator housing to engage the ramp surfaces of theresilient fingers of the spring clip to move the spring fingers inopposition to their self-biasing forces to disengage the spring clipfrom the first plurality of terminals, and cooperable latching means onsaid first and second insulator housings for latching the housingstogether when connected.